March, 2009

Children's fashion can be awfully cute, and often, incredibly expensive, which is a shame when the children's clothing or shoes must be discarded only months after purchase. Inchworm shoes have created a new, innovative technology that prolongs the life of the shoes by allowing them to grow with the child.

At a recent fashion show to display designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's Fall 2009 fashion line, the infamous Muppets walked the runway, proving they are capable of being more than puppets. Read on to learn if the Muppets and fashion collide in a new Muppet Movie production, if the designer is using an elaborate marketing ploy to reach a younger audience, or if something much more frightening has happened to our favorite Jim Henson characters.

As an industry, magazine subscriptions of course, aren't new, but a new trend emerging in the market allows more flexibility, by allowing magazine subscribers to receive a compilation of their favorite magazines at a lower monthly cost.

One pair of skis, four individual ski segments, the Twin Parabolic Skis by designer Charlie Pyott increase speed and stability for skiers. And they'll certainly spark a conversation or two at the lodge.

Traditional headscarves can be burdensome for those who wear them for cultural beliefs and engage in an active lifestyle. While they may be culturally fashionable, headscarves may be overly insulated for highly aerobic sports, not insulated enough for cold outdoor activities, and impractical as swimwear which forces people to choose between their values and ability to participate in certain activities. Capsters are a fashionable alternative to the traditional headscarf, with a variety of styles conducive to a variety of lifestyles, and they're pretty stylish too.

You may have heard of weather insurance, which protects businesses when their profits decline due to bad weather. However, Weatherbill is a little bit different from its competition, as an e-commerce website, it allows anyone to invest in weather conditions, to make an easy buck if those predictions are reached.

Wearable geeky gadgets have been taken to new levels with the appearance of the Peripheral Pants, a wacky wearable keyboard fashion that is certainly scandalous in its design.

Women love services that help them relax, and new mothers like to be pampered after giving birth; to help them feel comfortable in their new bodies and help them adjust to motherhood. Go Home Gorgeous combines both of these aspects, to make new mothers feel beautiful and pampered after having a baby, before they even leave the hospital.

Take 20 people, some rock climbing rope, a bridge and a whole lot of crazy and you have this new sport from Russia.

The online dating market has become a hubbub of activity with single (though not always) people looking to make a love connection. In order to be successful in the dating industry, online dating businesses are turning to strange niche businesses, to attract unique clientele looking to meet their match. Redneck and Single may sound like a joke, but really, Rednecks take their honky-tonk dating seriously!

We've seen edible fashion items that not only make a tasty snack, they also offer fashionable coverage. The Nike Hamburger Shoe, created by Olle Hemmendorff, is an example of extreme edible fashion that is anything but practical. Read on and decide if the hamburger shoe is better as fashion or food.

New business, Crowd Sprout, offers new parents the benefits of bulk buying, without requiring them to fit the full bill. Bulk discount businesses have been popularized by businesses like Costco, but require that consumers purchase many of one item. Since very few families need six of the same Kettler scooter, Crowd Sprout allows new and expecting parents the option to team up in order to receive group discounts.

Who says you need to have your very own, blood-related granny to craft your custom made knit wear? A growing international fashion trend allows the young and old to order knitted hats and socks directly from the knitting needles of Nanas and Omas around the world, and Net Granny and Golden Hook to get your hands on the classic fashion.

We've seen pet rental companies, which while successful, have created controversy with animal rights activists worldwide. Now, there is a new more humane way for people to mix and mingle with their favorite furry friends in the comfort of a public place. In Japan, cat cafes have been popping up all over the place, allowing people to relax with a cup of coffee while receiving the purr-fect, relaxing companionship of a kitty.

Can't get enough of American Idol?  Well, hold onto your microphones.  A new and affordable Idol collectible will be released soon.

Big League Tours specializes in the all-access baseball tour experience, every little boy (and girl) dreamed of as a child; and many took on movie screens with their movie dads. Big League Tours may not be recession-friendly, but it does provide the opportunity to mingle with major league baseball players and get behind-the-scenes access to world renowned baseball stadiums.

This unique fashion item for men can be referred to as either sustainable fashion or salvaged fashion, since it's created by using recycled road signs to create one-of-a-kind briefcases. The aluminum briefcases are durable, sustainable, and fashionable.

Contrary to what its name implies, You Look Like A Million Dollars is not a new makeover business. The name of this business concept is one that you can take literally - it preserves your image using precious materials to form a sculpture that just might require you to take out a million dollar loan.

Handbags and purses have often fallen into the "been there, done that" mentality for true innovative fashion lovers. That is, until Kathleen Dustin's artistic handbags came along which combine art and fashion to create unique, beautiful and fashionable accessories.

If you love singing in the shower, the Shower Tap Radio will have you hitting those high notes in no time.

Just because belt buckles are becoming a fashion thing of the past, and MP3 players are soon to be extinct, doesn't mean you can't enjoy this geeky gadget; the skull belt buckle media player.

It's only a cliché that an old dog can't learn new tricks (really, ask Lady Bee). So Dutch business startup, Bellendoejezo is taking the opportunity to have the technologically inclined (the young), teach the technologically impaired (the old) about their cell phone uses, so they can become functioning, communicative members of any business enterprise.

According to the Senate Judiciary Committee, one out of three women in the US will become a victim of a violent crime during their lifetime. Using similar, non-lethal technology found in tazers, the No Contact Jacket delivers a nasty surprise to anyone delivering unauthorized contact to its wearer.

Helping you keep your promises, for fear of retribution, is a new business Pledge Hammer. The premise of this online service is simple, you make a promise and if you don't honor your commitment, you donate a pre-determined amount to a charity of your choice.

This shoe design is every fashion lover's dream or nightmare, depending upon your perspective, because it allows you to have just one shoe for every occasion. These funny shoes transform using zippers, and while they might be a bit casual for New York's favorite fashionistas, it's a great solution for the over-packer.

Propel yourself straight forward on land, water or snow with Banshee Bungee.

The Creator's Inn in Gothenburg, Sweden takes the term starving artist literally. So to keep artists and creators visiting the city off the streets, they offer free accommodation at the Creator's Inn. If you're a starving artist, travel to Gothenburg, and you'll be taken care of!

Sometimes the most frivolous and ridiculous fashion items are the ones that bring us the most joy. For the ninja in you, there's the samurai sword umbrella; based on ancient traditions, this strange fashion accessory will fight off threatening raindrops and let you live out your ninja fantasies.

Whether they are online or outside, kids tend to get pretty bored with playing the same old games over and over again.  The folks at Lucky Radish Amusements have released a super silly and totally affordable application that kids of all ages will love.

Frequent fliers need every opportunity they can get to get their work done, but crowded airports can make for inconvenient distractions. Now, Airport Havens lets frequent fliers reveal the little pieces of heaven they've found when traveling to airports around the US that allow them to get their work done interruption free!

The world of eyewear has been forever changed by the introduction of contact lenses, however, not all of them are practical or fashionable; some contact lenses are just downright disgusting, creepy, and especially scary. The top 10 contact lenses mentioned here are in no particular order, because I just can't seem to decide which ones creep me out more!

Summer will be here before you know it and it won't be too long before swimming season is here.  Liquid Image has a new underwater digital camera coming out, the VideoMask 310.  By combining a swimming mask with a hands-free waterproof digital camera, swimmers and snorkelers of all ages will be able to record all sorts of underwater adventures.

While the name of this innovative new business startup, Neighbo, may infuriate my spellchecker; it's alleviating tension between landlords and tenants in the UK by giving all parties a voice and allowing them social networking opportunities that better help them improve their property businesses and their relationships.

Bridezillas may put a lot of emphasis upon choosing the perfect wedding invitation to reflect the bride and groom's personality; but let's be honest; most of the wedding invitations available on the market are pretty generic. While designs may differ, typical wedding invitations are cards, with text and graphics, and they're sent in an envelope. Poster Bride is trying to help wedding planners break out of the confines of traditional wedding invitations by offering a bold alternative; the wedding announcement poster.

Whether you find it challenging to fit into off-the-rack jean styles, or just can't find the perfect pair of luxury jeans in stores, there's a New York denim manufacturer that not only lets you see the full-cycle design and manufacturer process, it lets you play fashion designer by creating your own custom luxury jeans.

Martinis have become the drink of choice for those looking for a classy cocktail. On Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw and her core group of classy friends never seem to spill a drop of their infamous cosmopolitan martinis. In real life, the rest of us should only be so lucky; martini glasses just seem to be designed for spill.  Perhaps it's a conspiracy by the liquor companies to have martini lovers dispense more money for their favorite classy mixed drinks, or just a greater emphasis upon the look of the martini glasses over function, but spills are an unfortunate reality of martini drinking. Enter the Sipatiniz, the spill-resistant martini glass.

So much for your typical flash drive; USB's today come in weird and wacky, and sometimes even fashionable forms. The antique cross USB is a functional and fashionable wearable gadget, perfect for the religious fanatics in your life, your favorite vampire hunters, or the fashion forward who appreciate the occasional geeky gadget.

As promised, here is Part 2 of the Top 10 Business Ideas Suggest On Twitter: They Do Exist! Now we are counting down the top 5 business services the Twitter nation is looking for, as voiced on the world's most popular microblogging site. Entrepreneurs, get ready to scope out your competition if you're looking for inspiration on your next business startup. Twitter users; pay attention while we count down the top 5 business ideas suggested on Twitter, because here's the answer to your wishes!

Spring is in the air, and it's time to start shopping for those unique fashions to build your spring and summer wardrobe. A geeky new wearable gadget, the solar powered fan hat, is the perfect fashion accessory for spring or summer; with its trucker design, it both looks and feels cool.

This little piggy from Speakal is not your ordinary iPod docking station.  The  iPig also has an amazing high-quality stereo sound system.

A recent article by Twingly Blog focused on the top 10 businesses Twitter users are wishing for on the Twitter network. It's only a myth that sharing your wishes, even on Twitter, means they won't come true; because the top 10 business ideas do exist! Read on to discover the businesses that meet the needs of Twitter users worldwide in Part 1 of this two part article.

2TieATie.com is a website startup by a group of young teenagers who understand what it means to be mortified when you have no idea how to get the perfect knot (or any at all) into your necktie before a major fashion event. Not only does this fun fashion website help men overcome their shortfalls with neckties, it teaches them that being fashionable isn't just for the fairer sex after all

Rex is not your average, run-of-the-mill canine robot.  Rex the Dawg is a super-lovable pooch with some major attitude. 

Tween Fashion today is taking off; little girls just don't dress like little girls anymore, since many are preparing for the daily fashion show that takes place at school. Now, tween fashion lovers can do more than just shop for their favorite tween fashion; they can design their own clothing with EST Today Design Studio.

The creative folks at LEGO and Digital Blue have teamed up once again to create another super-cool electronic gadget just for kids.

Making a true fashion statement, a line of clothing sold in France contains hidden messages that attack American political leaders. The fashions themselves aren't weird and wacky, but the labels the clothing contains certainly deliver a bold message.

We all have that indecisive friend who can just never seem to commit to a decision. How annoying is it when at a party, the wishy-washy person can't even voice their personal drink preference, leaving it up to you to decide what will quench their thirst. Now, instead of shouting in frustration, "won't you just make up your mind", Singapore company Anything takes the refreshment decision out of everyone's hands with their surprise yourself canned drinks.

Who needs waiters and waitresses? UK Asian fusion restaurant Inamo, uses cutting-edge touch screen technology that allows diners to browse and make their meal selections self-sufficiently. Patrons can also watch a live video stream directly from the kitchen so they receive no unwelcome surprises in their meals!

Finding that perfect vintage piece to make a unique fashion statement typically requires sifting through clothing rack after clothing rack in trendy vintage stores. While for many vintage shoppers, the hunt that takes place at boutique stores city wide may be part of the appeal; for everyone else, there is Retro Dress. Like the convenience of shopping at home and have a love for vintage clothing? Read on and shop online at Retro Dress.

Your children will have hours of fun listening to tunes with their very own MP3 player.  The colorful player, from Crayola, is sure to be a great big hit with the younger crowd. 

During hunting season, hundreds of burly woodsmen slather themselves in doe pee to attract and lure their prey with their shot guns at the ready. Wearing pee like perfume certainly isn't glamorous, but it's a necessary part of hunting for sport. If you think that wearing deer pee is disgusting, think about the poor businesses responsible for collecting the doe pee. Mrs. Doe Pee in Iowa specializes in pee farming; be prepared to pity these people because business doesn't get much less glamorous than this.

ThinkGeek.com keeps up with current trends, but imprinting fashionable music and rock related graphics on their t-shirts. However, their fashionable and innovative t-shirts not only help you look like a wannabe rock star; they also help you become one in a way that's slightly geekier than rock.  With the interactive drum kit t-shirt, you too can be a drum hero, without having to buy a drum set or learn how to play; but prepare yourself for a lot of inappropriate contact when others want to beat your drums.

New wearable hydration garments from Camelbak decrease weight, bulk and shifting, creating 72 ounces of water that fits like a glove.

Move over adults, teens and tweens.  The youngest generation is getting in on the MP3 action with the new Pod Baby Bouncer from Combi. 

When someone you love is away at college, it's nice to send them a care package to let them know you care. Starving students appreciate the food, drinks, clothing and money that typically come in care packages more than the gesture, but not when the contents of the care package suck. Box-O-Box is an innovative new company that specializes in creating unique, themed care packages that won't end up in the garbage (they hope).

Traditional heart monitoring systems are bulky, inconvenient, and just not always practical for everyday use. Biodevices, S.A. specializes in the development of cutting edge medical diagnostic technologies; the Vital Jacket is their newest gadget which is medically functional and actually quite fashionable, too.

Jules' Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida offers a unique experience for those fascinated with marine life. This unique hotel that is only accessible by scuba diving can offer a romantic getaway for honeymooners or an educational look at underwater research with their aquanaut program.

If you've been looking for an inexpensive digital camera for your children, look no further. This compact cam is so much more than your average, ho-hum digital camera - it includes some pretty cool special effects.  A  word of advice for the kids - it wouldn't surprise me if your parents will want to trade their expensive digital cameras for this one!  

Pop-up concepts are literally popping up across the globe; and pop-up hotel rooms are one of the front-runners in the portable business brand. Pop-up hotels offer luxury accommodation where it's not possible to put a full size hotel. The pop-up hotel brand is growing in popularity in Europe in particular, because it's portable, convenient accommodations are ideal for festivals and other outdoor events.

If you aren't up to caring for a real honest-to-goodness puppy or kitten, move over Tamagotchi.  There's a new virtual pet coming to a store near you!

Call Cutta in a Box offers a one-on-one theater experience like no other that combines an international business industry with the opportunity to make a new friend. Imagine, you're sitting in your office and the phone rings; on the other line is a call center representative direct from India who engages you in stimulating conversation while objects around your office move by themselves to reveal a story. Not a paranormal experience, but not for the paranoid either, Call Cutta in a Box combines business with ultimate entertainment.

This little bank isn't your  average run-of-the-mill piggy bank.  The Power Hog helps children learn all about conserving electricity.

If you are a high-tech toy lover or happen to have a little James Bond in training, this new robotic item may be just the ticket.

Rubik’s Cube is an invention that has been torturing puzzle-lovers for decades, but one man in England has surely broken the record for perseverance. It took him 26 years to solve the mystery and he as well as his enduring wife are very relieved that it is all over. If you are a puzzle fan read on, and if you are not, read on anyway and be amazed at how deeply this silly toy has permeated our cultural psyches.

Hospitalis is a disturbing new restaurant that has opened in Riga, Latvia. Its weird and wacky hospital themed dining experience takes place in a sterile, modern medical environment and boasts nurses in complete uniform, patients in straight jackets, and the opportunity to dine on gurneys and operating tables. Meals at this strange and disturbing restaurant are served in a way that might shock and disturb you. The dining experience available at Hospitalis certainly isn't for the faint at heart.

InventorSpot.com is delighted to add an artist and aspiring inventor to our blogging team.

Alex Eremenko is a full time college student double majoring in Psychology and Business. In his spare time, he is a freelance writer and digital artist, working with Photoshop and Maya. He will be writing a recurring column for us titled "Fake or Factual?" in which he will be featuring inventions both fake and real with the common theme of being mildly absurd or wildly imagininative.

The articles will be appearing later this week and seen at Alex's Blog. Go and vote whether you think his finds are Fake or Factual.

For believers, a Bible is a coveted and very personal item for many adults and children.  Now children can personalize their Bible just the way they want with ClearlyU.